ALL ABOUT PURDUE
Traditions

Purdue Seal

In March 1968, Al Gowen presented the fifth seal to be used by the University. The seal features a griffin behind a shield and the words "Purdue University." The griffin is a symbol of strength from medieval heraldry. The three-part shield represents the stated aims of Purdue University: education, research, and service.

Boilermaker Special

The Boilermaker Special is the official mascot of Purdue and is kept in the custody of the Purdue Reamer Club. It is used to announce current campus events. The idea for the Boilermaker Special began with an article in The Exponent by Isreal Silkowitz. The completed Special was presented on September 11, 1940. The number on the headlamp, 074041, is composed of important dates. The 07 is the year that Doc Anderson and W. H. Winterrowd helped construct the body for the Special. The 40 and 41 represent the members of those classes and the Reamer Club members who dedicated their time, energy, and money. The fifth Boilermaker Special was completed in fall 1993.

Boilermakers

On October 26, 1891, the Purdue football team was for the first time called "boiler makers" by a Crawfordsville reporter who wrote about Purdue's 44-0 trouncing of Wabash College. Soon after, Lafayette newspapers picked up the name, and in October 1892 The Exponent, the Purdue newspaper, gave it the stamp of approval. In the early days of Purdue football, the team was called other names as well, including "haymakers," "rail-splitters," "sluggers," and "cornfield sailors."

The Purdue Colors

The Purdue colors, Old Gold and Black, were adopted in 1887, the first year of football at Purdue. Given the thinking that colors were needed to achieve distinction, the captain of the football team that year proposed the colors.

Purdue Mall/Purdue Mall Fountain (also known as the Engineering Mall and Fountain)

The Purdue Mall Fountain is located on the Purdue Mall in front of Hovde Hall. Sculptor Robert Youngman completed the project in 1989. Gifts by the Class of 1939 funded the project, which was dedicated during Homecoming 1989. A protective cylinder was installed over the 36 nozzles of water in 2001.

Founders Park/Loeb Fountain

Loeb Fountain was originally located on the Purdue Mall in front of Hovde Hall. Bert E. and June Loeb donated the money for the fountain, constructed in 1959. The fountain was relocated to Founders Park near Beering Hall in 1994 - Purdue's 125th anniversary year. It is dedicated to the students, faculty members, administrators, trustees, and benefactors who helped nurture the University in its early years.

University Hall

Built in 1876, University Hall is the oldest building on campus. John Purdue initiated construction of the building, although he did not live to see its completion. It was first used three years after the start of classes at Purdue. In its early days, it housed the president's office, the library, and a chapel. In the early 1960s, it was remodeled and air-conditioned. It now is home to the Department of History and the American studies program.